The Beijing-based artist, Liu Bolin, is called “The Invisible Man” because in nearly all his art, Bolin is front and center — and completely unseen. Bolin aims to draw attention to social and political issues by dissolving into the background of his work.

When Bolin works, he stands as still as he can for as long as he can against the background he plans to disappear into. He wears a suit, and his assistants paint over the suit and his face. A simple painting takes 3 to 4 hours; complicated paintings sometimes take 3 to 4 days. There is no Photoshop involved.

“The attitude of the artist is more important than the content of the creation. It’s life’s struggles, not necessarily artistic skills, that touch people. The process of each life struggle is what we call art, regardless of its form.” – Liu Bolin